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Recreational fishing guides

Guides are available to help fishers understand how to sustainably fish for many popular WA species. This page includes downloadable guides on statewide recreational fishing, abalone, crabbing, marron, net fishing, freshwater angling, rock lobster and fish identification.

Image of person holding recreational fishing guide brochure

Recreational fishing guide

A recreational fishing from boat licence is required for boat-based fishing in Western Australia (WA)

Abalone guide

A recreational abalone licence is required to fish for abalone in WA.

The abalone guide is available in multiple languages:

Crabbing guide

No licence is required to fish for crabs. If you use a powered boat to fish for crabs or to reach your fishing location, a recreational fishing from boat licence is required.

The crabbing guide is available in multiple languages:

Guide for how to clean crabs

If you're fishing for blue swimmer crabs or other shellfish around the Perth metro area, be aware of Alexandrium and learn how to clean your crabs correctly.

Download the guide and watch the video

Marron guide

A recreational marron licence is required to fish for marron in WA.

Net fishing guide

A net fishing licence is required for netting (haul, set and throw) in WA.

South-west freshwater angling guide

A freshwater fishing licence is required for freshwater angling in the south-west in WA.

Rock lobster guide

A rock lobster licence is required to fish for any species of rock lobster in WA.

Fish identification, catch care and location guides

Person fishing from boat

Catch! Newsletter

Subscribe to the Catch! e-newsletter for all the latest information for Western Australian recreational fishers including seasonal openings and closures, fisheries research initiatives and findings, and helping with citizen science projects.

Subscribe to the Catch! Newsletter